Photogbaphic-film-developing tank



R. F. WHITT.

PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM DEVELOPING TANK. APPLICATION FILED Nov.25.191a.

1,305,043. Pateted May 27, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

www,

mr Mmm/s 51ans co.. Pnowunw.. wAsHmuruN, n. c

R. F. WHITT.

PHOTOGRAPHlc-HLM DEvELoPlNG TANK.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25| 191B- 1,305,043. Patented May 27, 1919.

Y, 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 ROBERT F. WHITT, OF BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA.

PHOTOGRAPHIC-FILM-DEVELOPING TANK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 27, 1919.

Application led November 25, 1918. Serial No. 264,033.

To all whom t may Concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT F. VVHITT, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Beckley, in the county ofRaleigh and btate of Vest Virginia, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Photographic- Film-Developing Tanks, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to developing fixing and washing tanks forphotographic films, and one object is to provide convenient andefficient means for supporting a film strip or ribbon within the tank.

Another object is to devise means for supporting films or the like inthe form of separate, detached sheets, whereby the tank may be employedfor finishing pictures taken on film packs.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood, reference is hadto the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, and inwhich,

Figure l is a perspective view of my improved developing tank, partsbeing broken away;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale substantially on theline 2 2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of one end of the tank with cover removed;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a supporting rack or frame which Iemploy;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through the tank showing it as itappears when being used for handling the sheets of a film pack; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary transverse section on an enlarged scalesubstantially on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings in detail, my improved tank comprises a box 1preferably rectangular in shape and formed of any suitable material suchas sheet metal. This boX is of a depth somewhat greater than the widthof the films to be developed and is provided with a cover 2 having amarginal flange 3 which fits tightly down over the edge of the box so asto exclude light. In order to hold this cover securely in position, Iprovide a spring hook or catch 4 :at each end of the box adapted toengage suitable notches 5 formed on the ends of the cover.

Inside of the box is disposed a film supporting rack comprising a baseplate 6 adapted to rest upon the bottom of the box, and a plurality ofparallel vertical foraminous partitions 7 mounted upon and permanentlysecured to said base plate. The arrangement is such that the entirestructure comprising the base plate 6 and partitions 7 is bodilyremovable from the box so as to permit of cleaning and inspection. Asshown, the foraminous partitions 7 consist of wire netting surrounded bya suitable frame 8. As clearly shown in Fig. l, the film a when in theform of a continuous strip or ribbon is passed back and forth around theends of alternate partitions, the partitions serving to hold the film inan upright position with the different portions out of contact with eachother while permitting the solution to circulate readily so as touniformly act upon all parts of the film. I have devised special meansfor handling the separate sheets of a film pack in my improved tank andsuch means are shown in Figs. 2-6 inclusive.

Referring to these figures, it will be seen that I have provided asupporting frame most clearly shown in Fig. 4 and comprising cross bars9. between which extend a plurality of longitudinal rods 10. The crossbars 9 preferably have downturned ends 9 and are adapted to rest uponthe upper edges of the partitions 7 adjacent each end, as clearly shownin the drawing. By reference to Fig. 3, it will be seen that the rods 10are so located that each rod is disposed above the space between twopartitions 7 Supported by the rods l0 and depending therefrom arc aplurality of sheet holding clasps 11, preferably provided at their upperends with hooks l2 adapted to engage over the rods l0, as clearly shownin Fig. 6. The separate sheets l) are suspended by these clasps in thespace between the partitions 7 and are prevented by such partitions fromexcessive curling or from coming in contact with each other.

It will be obvious that while I have describedmy improved device as adeveloping tank, it can be employed with equal advantage for the washingand fixing of pictures, both films and prints.

Vhat I claim is n l. A photographic developing tank comprising a box,and a film supporting structure bodily removable from the box, saidstructure comprising a plate adapted to lie upon the bottom of the box,and a plurality of parallel upstanding foraminous partitions carried bysaid plate.

2. A photographic developing tank comprising a boX having therein aplurality of parallel upstanding partitions, a frame resting on the topsof said partitions,'andsheet engaging clasps supported by said frame.

3. A photographic developing tank corn-V prising aboX having therein aplurality of parallel upstanding partitions, a frame restv ing on thetops of said partitions, said frameV comprising a pair of cross bars anda plurality of longitudinal rods extending be- 10 tween the same, eaohofsaid rods being disposed above the spaeebetween tWo of said partitions,and. sheet engaging clasps supported by said rods and depending betweensaid partitions.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ROBERT F. WHITT.

Copies'of this patent may Vbe obtained for five cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

